States of Health
Miami’s reefs. LA’s courts. The natural East End shores. The sleek pools of Washington DC. Across the country, Compass agents connect with their environments, embracing the local fitness cultures that pulse through every region’s veins.
Words: Hannah McWilliams
Images: Lauren Naefe and Emma McAlary
Illustration: Joel Kimmel
A decade-long practitioner of yoga, New York agent Jason Saft has tried countless styles, even living in a Bahamian ashram for a month while undergoing teacher training. Now a Mysore devotee, he frequents New Vibe Yoga in the East Village. “I tend to prefer more traditional studios and find that an independent practice is the best fit for me,” Saft says. “Mysore’s non-led, autonomous structuring allows me to go at my own pace and push myself farther than I would in a crowded gym.”
The New School
Jason doesn’t confine his asanas to class time. Here are his favorite practice points around the city, from Manhattan’s northern edge to its southern tip.
- The Expanse Central Park’s East Meadow
- The Waterfront The Hudson Piers at 125th Street
- The Sanctuaries New Vibe Yoga in the East Village, Sivananda Yoga in Chelsea, and Jivamukti in Union Square
- The Empire Equinox
- The Aerie The rooftop of Compass HQ
Growing up in Spain, Veronica Seva-Gonzalez spent hours in the pool, swimming up to 15 miles a day in high school. She then ascended within the professional circuit as a member of the Spanish National Team, representing her country in international meets. “I’m so appreciative that my parents placed my sisters and me in sports when we were very young,” she says. “They teach you very hard, but amazing life lessons.” Now an elite agent in Washington DC, she and her husband — also a swimmer — are raising their own aquatically-inclined family in Arlington, Virginia.
DC’s Swim Scene, Decoded
Whether sneaking in laps before an open house or wading with her two children on sunny afternoons, Seva-Gonzalez knows her town’s hot spots. Here, she shares the best destinations for taking a dip.
1. For the off season When the open-air pools close, DC heads to Tenleytown, where the Woodrow Wilson Aquatic Center (1) ranks among the city’s most luxurious swim sites.
2. For families Georgetown’s historic Volta Park Pool (2) offers kids’ lessons and leagues, plus tennis courts, a playground, and gardens. Its locale invites après-swim ice cream.
3. For a group When craving Miami on the Eastern Shore, locals hit the Capitol Skyline Hotel (3), which hosts all-day pool parties every summer weekend.
4. For individuals With its Olympic proportions, East Potomac Pool (4) has no shortage of lap lanes and accommodates solo swimmers with room to spare.
As a certified diver of 10 years, Theresa Maieli is equally at home below sea level as she is atop Miami’s neon-lit avenues. Just as she seeks to improve her city through real estate, so does this avid ecologist beautify its underwater community through clean-up dives. “The seas feel like a fish tank, brimming with dense, coral sea life,” says Maieli. “The ocean never ceases to awe me!”
Sites to Behold
Of Miami’s many unique underwater dives, here’s Maieli’s short list.
- The Spirit of Miami A deposited 727 jet generates reef development.
- Neptune Memorial Reef This underwater cemetery recreates the lost city of Atlantis.
- Tortuga Sunken Ship A 165-foot-long steel ship rests below 115 feet of water.
As an avid hiker and Hills resident, Rowe regularly explores LA with local friends and out-of-towners alike, frequenting some of the city’s best-known trails — from Tree People Park on Mulholland Drive to the always-iconic Runyon Canyon Park. As a busy agent, she balances weekend work with trekking time, often heading straight from hike to open house.
Peaks & Valets
Not even Runyon Canyon Park — the labyrinthine, 160-acre trailscape in the Santa Monica Mountains — is immune to LA’s insufferable traffic. With only five entrances serving myriad hikers every year, the process of securing a parking space can be more strenuous than the climb. But last year, a decidedly urban amenity arrived on the scene: valet service. Behind the initiative is CurbStand, an app that automates the parking process from drop-off locator to pre-arranged pickup, doing for LA drivers what Uber did for carless New Yorkers. The service is currently available on weekends and costs hikers a mere five dollars — and, its opponents would argue, their dignity.
As an agent in a tennis town, Jeff Chin’s flexible hours allow him to beat the rush to some of the city’s most sought-after courts. He plays with his Head Ti S6 several times a week, supplementing his game with racquetball when DC’s winter chill sets in.
Making a Racquet
Chin plays with Head’s Titanium Ti-S6, an explosive racquet that provides both power and lift.
Shape
Spanning 115 square inches, this generous racquet offers both maneuverability and surface area.
Material
A titanium/graphite weave foundation produces high-impact motion with minimal inertia; the titanium contributes strength while ultralight graphite reduces heft.
Strings
This racquet comes pre-strung with Head’s Synthetic Gut 16 strings and employs an elastic core for shock absorption.
With property near New Paltz in upstate New York, Hamptons agent Bryan Midlam has access to some of the northeast’s optimal rock faces. Since starting nine years ago, he’s traversed the country to ascend routes in California, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Next up? “I’m planning to climb the Exum Ridge on Grand Teton, Devil’s Tower, and Yosemite’s El Capitan and Half Dome someday soon.”
The Climber’s Weekend Getaway
From New York…Head to the Shawangunks
The ETA: Less than two hours outside NYC
The climb: CCK
Pro advice: “The Gunks’ diverse range makes it accessible for everyone from kids who are just learning to experienced climbers,” notes Midlam. “My go-to route to date is CCK, which provides amazing views and great exposure — meaning, lots of air beneath you and very little to hold on to!”
From LA…Head to Joshua Tree National Park
The ETA: 2.5 hours from LAX
The climb: Hidden Valley’s many routes
Pro advice: “The entrance to the valley is situated between two rock formations only a few feet apart, which opens into an enormous expanse you never would have known existed,” Midlam describes. “A number of climbs are found along the one-mile path that loops the area.”
Weekends often find Eve Dougherty racing Peningo, her 49-foot custom Dubois, in regional regattas or wiling away the afternoon on Boston Harbor. “Sailing is both a physical and mental exercise,” she says. Having spent decades on deck, she cites the sport’s unique combination of communication, accountability, and sense of humor as an excellent foundation for her success in real estate.
Dockside Detours
Boston’s waterways and the adjoining marinas are lined with many of the area’s finest dining and drinking purveyors. Here, Eve and her Peningo crew share their favorite harborside spots to grab a bite or beer.
11:30 AM Before raising anchor, stop by the classically-shingled Boston Sail Loft for brunch. Opt for the Eggs Benedict or Lobster Omelette. Boat shoes are not just allowed, but preferred.
4:30 PM Farther north, hop off to recharge with a tray of pristine, briny oysters and a perfectly-chilled martini at Pier 6, steps from the oldest commissioned naval ship in the world, the USS Constitution.
7:50 PM Channel Colonial mixology by crafting Boston Rum Punch — rum and lemonade, shaken, poured over a pint glass of crushed ice, garnished with nutmeg — while taking in the skyline.
8:45 PM Drop anchor near the Seaport district’s Blue Hills Bank Pavilion to listen to an open-air concert. 5,000 people might be in the audience, but you’ll be dancing atop your private deck.
This Bridgehampton local and surfer of 30 years was born into the sport; his father even shaped his own boards in the 1970s. Today, his expertise helps anchor him within his ocean-centric community: “Surfing is something that many of my clients aspire to or already love,” says Mattson, who has even taught certain buyers and sellers to brave the Atlantic. “Sharing the experience builds lasting friendships, which is what real estate is all about.”
A Beach for All Seasons
Mattson surfs year-round and all around the globe, noting that seasonality and geography dramatically impact the experience. He breaks down his most hallowed waves and when to go.
Summer: The Hamptons
“Late summer is far and away the best time for surf in the Hamptons. By that point, the big crowds have departed, but the weather and waves are still beautiful.”
Fall: Morocco
“My buddies and I take an annual trip to a surf destination. Last year, we traversed the central and southern edges of Chile. This year, it was Morocco’s Saharan coast.
Winter: Santa Barbara
“Even though my hometown gets great waves this time of year, my family and I often head for warmer waters. Lately that’s meant Santa Barbara.”
Spring: The Maldives
“Spring is our primary home-selling period, so I’m not going anywhere then! But if I could sneak away, it would be to the Indian Ocean, like Indonesia or the Maldives.”
A dedicated tennis player, Nick Sacco rises early to beat the morning rush and fit in a match or two before work. He plays both singles and doubles several times a week at LA’s Toluca Lake Tennis & Fitness Club, where he’s a two-time singles champion. “Tennis is a great way to network,” he says. “I’ve met a number of clients playing the game — in fact, my last closed transaction was with a fellow tennis player!” Love.
Net Worth
LA’s affinity for tennis and film are unmatched. In fact, Sacco’s club sits at the crossroads of three studios. Add these movies — including Sacco’s own selects — to your queue.
Annie Hall (1977)
Woody Allen’s idiosyncratic couple meets on the Manhattan courts.
Fletch (1985)
In top form, Chevy Chase plays an LA Times reporter with a penchant for disguises, including tennis whites.
Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer discover their magic mid-match.
Clueless (1995)
A Beverly Hills high school ball machine threatens cosmetically-altered noses.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Luke Wilson’s tennis pro suffers a meltdown, sitting down on the court to remove both shoes and a single sock.
Wimbledon (2004)
Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany depict life and love on the pro circuit.
McEnroe/Borg: Fire & Ice (2011)
“This doc explores the sport’s greatest rivalry. As a serve-and-volley fan, I love to watch Johnny Mac at work!”
Break Point (2014)
“This comedy was filmed at my club; my trainer, Christian Straka, made a cameo, alongside the Bryan brothers.”
Meet more of our energetic agents—and tour their active listings—at Compass.com.
